The pristine and unexplored south of the Maldives is now within striking distance of Malé following the launch of a new regional airport. From today, domestic carrier Maldivian will fly direct from Malé to Kooddoo Airport in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, in just 45 minutes.

Britons want to put the fun back into flying, but are frustrated by lengthy security queues and sprawling airports that are difficult to navigate according to new research commissioned by NCR Corporation from Opinion Research Corporation.

McCarran International Airport is preparing to open its new Terminal 3 in five weeks time. Marking the largest project in the airport’s 63 year history, the new 1.9 million-square-foot terminal, includes additional check-in, baggage claim, security checkpoints and parking.

Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company specialising in exhibitions and events management across the region, has revealed that suppliers in the emerging markets are set to capitalise on the $160bn worth of airport expansion projects in Asia, Far East, Russia, CIS, Middle East, Africa and South America.

Stansted Airport is the latest airport to be under scrutiny for lengthy queues at passport control. In recent weeks, Heathrow Airport has come into focus as it emerged that passengers are being forced to queue for two hours at passport control - a situation that is gathering increasing concern as the London Olympics 2012 approaches.

The European Commission has announced a package of measures designed to increase capacity airports in Europe, reduce delays and improve the quality of services offered to passengers. The measures address the quality of services passengers and airlines receive on the ground before they take off and after they land, the transparency of decisions on airport noise, as well as the efficiency of the complex network of take-off and landing slots that make up every journey.

Passengers flying with any airline from Vienna International Airport are set to use the first common-use self-boarding gates go into operation anywhere in the world. The gates, provided by air transport IT specialist SITA, are being installed throughout Vienna’s terminals, including the new terminal Skylink, which will open mid-2012.

Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC), the owner and operator of Perth Airport, has confirmed that Broad Construction Services (WA) has been selected as lead contractor to build the new domestic terminal.

Accenture has been selected by the Dutch ministry of internal affairs to design and deliver Automated Border Control Systems at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The new systems will reduce the waiting time of travellers passing through one of the world’s busiest airports during peak immigration periods by more efficiently validating passenger identities and documentation.